The Bay of Plenty District Health Board is investigating how a Te Puke High School student contracted tuberculosis.

TB cases are rare in New Zealand and are more common in third world countries and in some instances have led to death.

The female student arrived at Tauranga Hospital with TB symptoms during the last school holidays, almost two weeks ago.

The BOP DHB confirmed she had the disease last week.

She is being treated for the illness and the school has been working closely with Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service to ensure close contacts are identified and offered health advice.

Te Puke High School principal Alan Liddle says the student will only return to school when the infection has been treated.

'At this stage no student or staff member has shown any symptoms of TB,” says Alan.

'The next stage is to look at people who she may have been in contact with and testing them.”

Alan would not reveal the girl's age or year level.

Bay of Plenty medical officer of health, Dr Neil de Wet says TB is not easily spread from person to person.

Alan understands there is only a 0.01 per cent chance of it spreading to another person.

'If you had gone back 50 or 100 years this would have been a major issue, but nowadays it's very treatable.

'It's not a concern really, it's something we have to go through, but it's just precautionary really.”

Families of Te Puke High School students have been sent letters explaining the situation and information leaflets about TB are available at the school.

If students or their families have any further concerns they may contact Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service on 07 577 3762.